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$6

$20

$32

How much do graduate research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research assistant in Colorado is $20.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research assistant?

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) are graduate students who work under the supervision of faculty members to assist with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include data collection, literature reviews, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and helping to prepare research publications or presentations. These positions often provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study and may offer a stipend or tuition waiver as compensation. GRAs play a crucial role in advancing university research while developing skills for future academic or professional careers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a graduate research assistant?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Assistant, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies. Proficiency with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly laboratory equipment is often required. Excellent organization, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set candidates apart in collaborative research environments. These skills are essential for producing high-quality research, meeting project deadlines, and contributing effectively to academic teams.

What challenges do graduate research assistants face when balancing research projects with coursework?

Graduate Research Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities, including research tasks, coursework, and sometimes teaching duties. Time management is a frequent challenge, as research projects may have unpredictable workloads or urgent deadlines that overlap with academic requirements. Clear communication with your advisor and setting realistic expectations can help manage these demands. Many assistants find that developing strong organizational skills and seeking support from peers or mentors aids in maintaining a healthy balance between research and academic obligations.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Assistant vs Research Intern?

AspectGraduate Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsGraduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) often requiredUndergraduate or graduate students, less formal credentials needed
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institution, often part of a universityResearch labs, industry, or academic settings, usually temporary
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesCorporations, research firms, academic labs

In summary, a Graduate Research Assistant typically holds a graduate degree and works within academic or research institutions, focusing on long-term research projects. In contrast, a Research Intern is often a student or early-career individual gaining practical experience, usually on a temporary basis in various research settings.

Can you be a graduate research assistant with a master's degree?

Yes, a master's degree is often sufficient to qualify for a graduate research assistant position, which typically requires strong research skills, familiarity with relevant tools, and academic coursework. Some positions may prefer or require additional qualifications such as a related bachelor's degree or specific technical expertise.

Is being a graduate research assistant worth it?

A graduate research assistant role provides valuable research experience, skills in data analysis and academic writing, and networking opportunities within a university environment. However, it often involves low pay and a demanding schedule, so its worth depends on individual career goals and financial needs.
More about Graduate Research Assistant jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Research Assistant jobs in Colorado?

For Graduate Research Assistant jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Graduate Research Assistant jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Graduate Research Assistant jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Graduate Research Assistant job openings:

Graduate Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Assistant job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,271 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Professional Research Assistant

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO • On-site

$48K - $50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

University Of Colorado Boulder rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

150th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Requisition Number:

74177

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

31-Aug-2026

Date Posted:

12-Aug-2026
Close All
Job Summary
The University of Colorado's Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange) has a Full-Time Professional Research Assistant position available.  We seek a full-time research assistant to aid with a study on Cannabis health effects in palliative care of cancer in adults and across other projects as needed.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
We are a motivated team that conducts transdisciplinary research exploring factors linked with the potential health risks and health benefits of Cannabis use in a number of populations. We seek a professional research assistant to work primarily on a study of hemp-derived CBD for palliative care in cancer, with some responsibilities on other projects. This position is well suited for a recent graduate pursuing a career or planning an advanced degree in medicine, psychology, neuroscience, integrative physiology, translational human participant research, or other biomedical research. This position will primarily involve duties at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Responsibilities will include assisting with study participant recruitment, screening, and scheduling, leading study visits including informed consent, conducting self-report tasks with study participants, and data management and quality control. Capable of working effectively and respectfully with participants who may have physical or cognitive limitations and who come from a variety of backgrounds, lifestyles, and personalities.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this fulltime position is Salary $48,000 to $50,000.
Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements
Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
  • Bachelor's degree, in psychology, neuroscience, life sciences, physiology, or another related field
  • Experience conducting human participant research appointments and eligibility screenings
  • Skilled at managing multiple priorities efficiently in fast-paced environments
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Ability to work collaboratively with study staff, postdoctoral researchers, undergraduates, principal investigators, and other laboratories
  • Transportation to and from Anschutz Health Sciences Building
What We Would Like You to Have
  • Phlebotomy experience
  • REDCap project design and management
  • Experience conducting human clinical trials research and complying with IRB guidelines
  • Literacy in R/RStudio, statistical analyses
  • Experience handling biohazardous materials such as human blood, stool, and saliva samples
  • Wet lab experience (Extraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from whole blood, qPCR, real time PCR, sandwich and bead-based ELISA, Flow Cytometry)
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume/CV
  3. List of References (Used for Phone Reference Checks)
  4. optional: Transcripts/Proof of Degree
If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version (if applicable) as an optional attachment.
 
For full consideration please apply by August 31, 2026.
 
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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